Especially at this time of the year, when the academic world revs its engine, students, teachers, and parents have a ready-made answer to the typical “How are you?” question. “Good,” (insert smile that shifts seamlessly into a knowing look of concern), “but super busy.”

The typical American today strives to be as attractive as the models on fashion magazine covers, as successful in work as Bill Gates, as sensitive a spouse and parent as Ward and June Cleaver, and as death-defyingly healthy as Lance Armstrong–all while maintaining the inner peace of the Dalai Lama. (Barnes, The Pastor as Minor Poet, 92).

Sound like anyone you know? Does it sound like you? Sometimes I think it certainly sounds like me. Read more of this post

Now, I have been told by businessmen, financial advisors, and stock-market gurus to buy low and sell high. I am no expert, but it seems like the people who are selling after the plunge has begun, even after it has erased all of their gains for the year, are ignoring this advice. The question I have then is, “Why do the experts often not follow their own advice? Read more of this post